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TexasMadness
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Fort Hood Shootings
I'm sure by now most of you have heard about this. Boy, was it a complete shock. We heard the breaking news right as it happened and hubby immediately started calling his family members that work on the post. There are 65,000 people there so chances we knew anyone were small, but it still puts you in a panic. As of last night, everyone is accounted for (whew).
It was a gut wrenching day yesterday listening to the various reports and how many incorrect statements were being made. I'm sure the confusion on the base itself was immense. I was so relieved that the police officer who finally shot the gunman wasn't among those dead as originally reported. She is still in serious condition but recovering from surgery.
I think it's important to take this message to heart, from The Association of Patriotic Arab Americans in the Military:
At a time of deep sorrow in the midst of this horrific tragedy, our thoughts are first and foremost with the Fort Hood shooting victims and their families. One can only imagine the unspeakable pain and loss they are and will be dealing with in the weeks, months and years to come.
It is unfortunate that whatever demons possessed Nidal Hasan, that he chose to deal with his problems in this way.
In the aftermath of this terrible tragedy, it is more important than ever that we not make the same scapegoating and broad stroke mistakes that were evident in the aftermath of previous tragedies. The Association of Patriotic Arab Americans in Military urges the media, government officials and all of our fellow Americans to recognize that the actions of Hasan are those of a deranged gunman, and are in no way representative of the wider Arab American or American Muslim community.
In fact, thousands of Arab Americans and American Muslims serve honorably everyday in all four branches of the U.S. military and in the National Guard. Additionally, many of us have willingly stepped forward to fulfill our duty with our fellow soldiers in both Afghanistan, Iraq and other locations around the globe, including most of the member of APAAM. Indeed, many of us are today currently deployed in both countries, honorably serving each and every day.
I fear the reaction from many will be to blame the gunman's ethnicity and/or religion and simply make things more difficult for everyone. Yes, it appears he was opposed to the wars because of those factors, but he was indeed a deranged person.
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11/6/2009, 4:29 pm
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Firlefanz
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Re: Fort Hood Shootings
Yes, I heard of it, and I decided not to go to any newscast. Just reading one report made me feel so sad I didn't want any pictures.#
I hope that everyone you know is safe.
The quote you posted is so right.
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11/6/2009, 7:54 pm
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TexasMadness
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Re: Fort Hood Shootings
It's been hard to watch the news here, but I have to admit that I have this feeling of really needing to know. There are so many news stories that I would rather turn off (and do) because they are terrible. But this country is in a pickle with its wars - whether you agree with them or not, they are affecting more things than we may know for a long time to come. I hate that so many people here seem to forget that we are actively at war. I sort of feel a sense of duty to inform myself as much as possible about all things military, both good and bad.
Sigh. It's so hard. I've read some real hate language on other forums today. People are reacting to the wrong part of this tragedy. As soon as I heard the man's name on the news last night, I got such a sinking feeling in my stomach as I knew where this was going. There have even been death threats sent to Mosques. It's so hard to hear. 
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11/6/2009, 10:08 pm
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hesilly
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Re: Fort Hood Shootings
he is nothing but a home-grown terrorist,
his cousin went on FOX News telling the nation this guy is a good American, BS.
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Helen
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11/8/2009, 4:55 am
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Firlefanz
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Re: Fort Hood Shootings
Now I have to wonder if all those shooters in schools and elsewhere (like in Orlando just the other day) were also home-grown terrorists?
I would think this man cracked under too much pressure - like most of those who run amok. The only difference this time, and which seems to cause so much hate for this person, is his religion. We never even heard what religion the other shooters followed.
I think this reaction is very sad, especially in a group following a path that used to get people killed. And it was hate back then, as well, hate for a religion.
We shouldn't do the same to others today. Just my opinion.
Last edited by Firlefanz, 11/8/2009, 10:23 am
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11/8/2009, 9:58 am
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TexasMadness
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Re: Fort Hood Shootings
My opinion too Firle. Until I hear that this soldier was part of an actual terrorist organization, he was just a deranged man that happened to follow a religion that the previous terrorists attacking our country have followed...along with over a billion other people. I just can't make a sweeping judgment on a billion of the earth's population.
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11/8/2009, 4:00 pm
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hesilly
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Re: Fort Hood Shootings
U.S. intelligence agencies were aware months ago that Army Major Nidal Malik Hasan was attempting to make contact with people associated with al Qaeda terrorists, two American officials briefed on classified material in the case told ABC News. ....
I dont know what your definition of Terrorism is, but to me, he is a terrorist--
FYI, here are the definitions of terrorism:
Definitions of Terrorism
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Terrorism by nature is difficult to define. Acts of terrorism conjure emotional responses in the victims (those hurt by the violence and those affected by the fear) as well as in the practitioners. Even the U.S. government cannot agree on one single definition. The old adage, “One man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter” is still alive and well. Listed below are several definitions of terrorism. For the purposes of the Terrorism Research Center, we have adopted the definition used by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Terrorism is the use or threatened use of force designed to bring about political change.
—Brian Jenkins
Terrorism constitutes the illegitimate use of force to achieve a political objective when innocent people are targeted.
—Walter Laqueur
Terrorism is the premeditated, deliberate, systematic murder, mayhem, and threatening of the innocent to create fear and intimidation in order to gain a political or tactical advantage, usually to influence an audience.
—James M. Poland
Terrorism is the unlawful use or threat of violence against persons or property to further political or social objectives. It is usually intended to intimidate or coerce a government, individuals or groups, or to modify their behavior or politics.
—Vice-President's Task Force, 1986
Terrorism is the unlawful use of force or violence against persons or property to intimidate or coerce a government, the civilian population, or any segment thereof, in furtherance of political or social objectives.
—FBI Definition
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Categorizing Terrorism
More Than One Nation Involved
Yes No
Government Controlled or Directed Yes Interstate State
No International
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Source: The Terrorism Research Center
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Helen
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11/10/2009, 4:14 am
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hesilly
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Re: Fort Hood Shootings
Now I have to wonder if all those shooters in schools and elsewhere (like in Orlando just the other day) were also home-grown terrorists?
well, people have different perspectives.
Fox news commentators certainly call the "DC Sniper" who terrorized the capital seven years ago a "Terrorist"! and he will be executed tomorrow!
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Helen
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11/10/2009, 4:38 am
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Firlefanz
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Re: Fort Hood Shootings
All I'm saying is, it's easy to judge and comdemn from afar. Yes, he did terrible things. Yes, he should be punished for it. Yes, he may have been a terrorist, although his actions don't seem to aim at political change.
However, I refuse to slip into hate, because that does more damage to me than to anyone else. Hate blinds. Hate makes things too simple.
The way I see it, it helps to look at what caused this behaviour. If we refuse to learn from this terrible incident, we won't be able to prevent this from happening again. Maybe it would be useful to change things, maybe it helps to look at proceedures and patterns of communication. It helps to look at how a system may unintentioally set people up for going mad. This work is hard, because it means to question "normal proceedure". Personally, I think it would be worth it.
It's awfully easy to label someone a terrorist and leave it at that. For me, that's simply too simple.
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11/10/2009, 6:44 pm
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PerpetuallyCurious
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Re: Fort Hood Shootings
I simply think of him as a guy who cracked. I fear it's going to happen more often as these troubled times progress.
Very tragic regardless
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11/11/2009, 3:55 am
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